topic Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering. in Kitchen

Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

house_cat — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 02:51:59 GMT

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

This weekend I need to make:

1 devil's food layer cake (layers are done)

1 carrot cake

2 zucchini quiches

2 spinach/feta quiches

24 cupcakes

2 dozen hard boiled eggs (done)

1 plate of cheese and crackers

1 fruit platter

It's hubby's birthday weekend and we have so many things planned. I don't know how I get myself into these situations.

I have pretty much ZERO freezer space right now. Which of those things can I make tonight and tomorrow morning, when I need them for Sunday?

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

HonnyBrown — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:05:37 GMT

You're a volunteer. You can always say no.

I volunteer for the farmers market. I'm the Wine Coordinator as well as an Info volunteer.

I overextend myself during the wine events

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

spindlegirl — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:12:45 GMT

You're allowing people to take advantage of you.

For this list get some of the things locally (Costco has some good bakery items for example).

Then post it in a prominent place the receipts for the ones you bought plus a note with all the time and $$$ (ingredients, home utilities etc) spent on the ones you prepared.

Look at those the next time you have the urge to over extend yourself.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Sooner — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:17:36 GMT

How could you possibly do all this, post as many posts as you do, take care of a family and worry about having so many relatives coming through your area? WHERE on earth would you find time for all of this? OVER EXTENDED? I would think that would be an understatement. My next question is: WHY?

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Hoovermom — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:19:39 GMT

You sound like me a few years ago. Please learn how to say "no". I know your hands are full taking care of your DH, DS and also your elderly parents with working a full-time job. Guess what I learned? When I was finally able to decline a request, they always found someone else who would volunteer. Being the kind of person who enjoys "helping", as you obviously are, I never wanted to let anyone down. Maybe you could limit yourself to one extra volunteer activity each month and save some time for yourself. Your list for this week-end would send me immediately to Costco to fulfill this very lengthy cooking time in the kitchen. You sound like a gem of a volunteer, and I know that they know they can always count on you. Good luck!!!

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

sidsmom — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:20:33 GMT

Funny thing....if I proclaimed I was ""donating $50 to my local food bank & it makes me feel so good!!!"" I would have some posters say I was bragging. (See: paying it forward thread). My sister is like that....she looks upon her full day planner to qualify her self worth. Sad.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

GracieB — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:20:39 GMT

On 9/19/2014 Sooner said:
How could you possibly do all this, post as many posts as you do, take care of a family and worry about having so many relatives coming through your area? WHERE on earth would you find time for all of this? OVER EXTENDED? I would think that would be an understatement. My next question is: WHY?

For the attention. I don't feel sorry nor give sympathy to people who bring these things upon themselves.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

spindlegirl — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:27:21 GMT

On 9/19/2014 GracieB said:
On 9/19/2014 Sooner said:
How could you possibly do all this, post as many posts as you do, take care of a family and worry about having so many relatives coming through your area? WHERE on earth would you find time for all of this? OVER EXTENDED? I would think that would be an understatement. My next question is: WHY?

For the attention. I don't feel sorry nor give sympathy to people who bring these things upon themselves.

Not crazy myself about people who publicize their own good works but this sounds like a different case. She's asking advice.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

sidsmom — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:31:07 GMT

On 9/19/2014 spindlegirl said:
On 9/19/2014 GracieB said:
On 9/19/2014 Sooner said:
How could you possibly do all this, post as many posts as you do, take care of a family and worry about having so many relatives coming through your area? WHERE on earth would you find time for all of this? OVER EXTENDED? I would think that would be an understatement. My next question is: WHY?

For the attention. I don't feel sorry nor give sympathy to people who bring these things upon themselves.

Not crazy myself about people who publicize their own good works but this sounds like a different case. She's asking advice.

Youre right...she was asking for advice. Just purchase everything. Boom. Done.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

house_cat — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:15:39 GMT

Why oh why oh why oh why do I continue to open myself up to the wrath of some of you meanies? Why do some of you, like Gracie and Sooner, have to turn every thread into a battle scene? If you don't have something constructive to say can't you just sit on your hands? Some of us are here to learn from each other and support each other and some of you are here just to antagonize and find fault.

I'd love to say this is my last post, but there are so many wonderful people on the boards. It's too bad that a few of you have to be Negative Nellies.

I'm going to sit on my own hands now. If you want to turn this into an ugly, judgmental thread, then go ahead.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Marienkaefer2 — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:33:56 GMT

Miss house cat, Make it easy on.yourself. Buy the carrot cake, the cupcakes, and the fruit platter. That leaves you with just the cheese and crackers, zucchini quiches, spinach feta quiches, and finishing the devil's food cake. Cheese and crackers: buy a couple of good cheeses, like brie, place on a platter surrounded by crackers. That's done. Quiches: buy readymade crusts. Just add fillings. Finish up the devil's food cake. Next time: delegate more to others. Or, just don't make as much.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

ROMARY — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:35:39 GMT

The cakes and cupcakes.... They will keep in the fridge until Sunday. Happy Birthday to your DH.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

sciencegeek_1 — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:38:00 GMT

Sometimes it's hard being a good cook. You love to cook, and everyone loves your food, and asks for your help with a dish or event. They don't realize that LOTS of people are asking at the same time.

If you don't feel you can tell them no, maybe you can give yourself a one item limit when people ask for things. Past that, say no, you're already overextended and simply don't have the time.

As far as your current list goes, I think you can do it all without having to freeze anything. I don't know what your quiche recipe calls for, I'd probably wait to make that one fresh when needed. But you can make the carrot cake and cupcakes, and cut up the cheese and fruit so the trays will go together in a snap.

Don't forget to take deep breaths and enjoy the wonderful aromas while you're baking!

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Sooner — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:40:02 GMT

On 9/19/2014 house_cat said:
Why oh why oh why oh why do I continue to open myself up to the wrath of some of you meanies? Why do some of you, like Gracie and Sooner, have to turn every thread into a battle scene? If you don't have something constructive to say can't you just sit on your hands? Some of us are here to learn from each other and support each other and some of you are here just to antagonize and find fault.

I'd love to say this is my last post, but there are so many wonderful people on the boards. It's too bad that a few of you have to be Negative Nellies.

I'm going to sit on my own hands now. If you want to turn this into an ugly, judgmental thread, then go ahead.

A battle ground really? I just asked you HOW and WHY you do all this. So please, don't bother to reply and I will certainly leave your posts ALONE from now on. I don't see any point in this either.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Shawnie — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 05:02:20 GMT

You just need to say No. Making all of that for one week much less a weekend is crazy. Two cakes, four quiches, 2 doz cupcakes, deviled eggs, fruit plate, crackers/ cheese???? Makes me tired just thinking about it. Even if you bought it all, that is too much IMHO for one individual to agree to bring over a two day period. But I expect you enjoy it. Everyone knows NO.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Mindy D — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 05:50:39 GMT

DO THE QUICHES. PREBAKE THE SHELLS PARTWAY, MAKE THE FILLING AND PUT ASIDE TO FILL LATER, OR JUST DO THE FILLINGS, PUT IN PLASTIC BAGS, PUT IN FRIDGE AND BAKE SHELLS AND FILLING,LATER. AT LEAST THEY WILL BE ALMOST DONE.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Mindy D — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 05:52:43 GMT

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

Mindy D — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 05:56:26 GMT

BUY THE FRUIT PLATTER. IT WILL TAKE UP SO MUCH ROOM AND SO MUCH TIME, AND YOU ARE NOT REALLY COOKING IT; SO IT WON'T FEEL LIKE YOU LET ANYONE DOWN. IT WILL PROBABLY COST THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, TOO. MAKE THE CARROT CAKE, WITHOUT ICING. ASK YOUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR IF YOU CAN USE FREEZER SPACE OVERNIGHT. YOU COULD DO THE FROSTING, TOO, AND SAVE YOURSELF A HEADACHE LATER. IF YOU ARE GOING TO COOK LIKE THIS, YOU NEED AN EXTRA REFRIGERATOR IN YOUR GARAGE.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

ivey — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 06:09:03 GMT

Go to Costco.

Buy their quiches. They are delicious--they might not be zucchini, though. Who cares.

Buy a store bought cake instead of the carrot cake. Put it on your own plate, and no one will know unless you tell.

You've got the chocolate cake made--use it first.

Buy the cupcakes.

Buy the cheese and crackers. Everyone does that.

Buy the fruit platter.

Probably not quite as good as home made--but you've saved a lot of time.

Re: Commitment overload. Does anyone else do this to themselves? I need to stop volunteering.

gkelly — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 10:41:58 GMT

On 9/19/2014 house_cat said:
Why oh why oh why oh why do I continue to open myself up to the wrath of some of you meanies? Why do some of you, like Gracie and Sooner, have to turn every thread into a battle scene? If you don't have something constructive to say can't you just sit on your hands? Some of us are here to learn from each other and support each other and some of you are here just to antagonize and find fault.

I'd love to say this is my last post, but there are so many wonderful people on the boards. It's too bad that a few of you have to be Negative Nellies.

I'm going to sit on my own hands now. If you want to turn this into an ugly, judgmental thread, then go ahead.

house_cat, I have found that there are a few posters that here on the Q that I think "enjoy" being "meanies"! Always being negative and yes, posting only to argue or to try to tear someone down.?? Have found lately that there are a few posters being disrespectful of other posters here on the Q. A few go onto a thread & try to disrupt the OP and talk about an entirely different subject or one not pertaining to the OP. So sad!

You keep doing what you do but it sounds like you have over extended yourself on this one. I would take some of the advise given here and but what you can at Costco's, maybe like the fruit & cheese platters and even the cup cakes. I understand about not having enough freezer space! During certain weekends & especially during the holiday season, I have to use a second fridge/freezer! Sometimes it is hard to say "no" and/or to just not volunteer but someone usually will take up the slack if you don't do it.